A three-wicket haul from leg-spinner James Ryan wasn’t enough to lift Victoria Country to victory on day one of the National Under-19 Cricket Championships in Adelaide. The Victoria Country squad, which features three Northern Rivers products skipper Todd Murphy (Moama), James Ryan (Bendigo) and James Vlaeminck (Strathdale-Maristians) went down to ACT/NSW Country in a tight encounter. After being sent into bat, Victoria Country battled its way to 4-210 off 50 overs. Murphy opened the batting and was dimissed for 12 off 17 balls, while Ryan batted at number four and made 21 off 47 balls. Vlaeminck didn’t bat. In reply, ACT/NSW Country was cruising at 2-86 before Ryan was introduced. Ryan, who plays Premier cricket for Essendon’s second XI, took three quick wickets to put Victoria Country back in the game. At one stage Ryan had 3-7 off four overs as ACT/NSW Country slipped to 5-103. ACT/NSW Country steadied and only lost one more wicket before passing the total in the penultimate over. Ryan finished with 3-41 off nine overs, while Murphy bowled first change and had 1-38 off 10 overs. Victoria Country plays Northern Territory in round two on Tuesday. NSW Metro made 4-406 against the NT on day one, with Ollie Davies making 207.

Vic Country beaten on day one of national titles

A three-wicket haul from leg-spinner James Ryan wasn’t enough to lift Victoria Country to victory on day one of the National Under-19 Cricket Championships in Adelaide.

The Victoria Country squad, which features three Northern Rivers products skipper Todd Murphy (Moama), James Ryan (Bendigo) and James Vlaeminck (Strathdale-Maristians) went down to ACT/NSW Country in a tight encounter.

After being sent into bat, Victoria Country battled its way to 4-210 off 50 overs.

Murphy opened the batting and was dimissed for 12 off 17 balls, while Ryan batted at number four and made 21 off 47 balls.

Vlaeminck didn’t bat.

In reply, ACT/NSW Country was cruising at 2-86 before Ryan was introduced.

Ryan, who plays Premier cricket for Essendon’s second XI, took three quick wickets to put Victoria Country back in the game.

At one stage Ryan had 3-7 off four overs as ACT/NSW Country slipped to 5-103.

ACT/NSW Country steadied and only lost one more wicket before passing the total in the penultimate over.

Ryan finished with 3-41 off nine overs, while Murphy bowled first change and had 1-38 off 10 overs.

Victoria Country plays Northern Territory in round two on Tuesday. NSW Metro made 4-406 against the NT on day one, with Ollie Davies making 207.